EE Colloquia: 2023 SARI Colloquium: Research Integrity and Why It Matters

Abstract: This presentation includes case studies and discussion to highlight trends in research misconduct, as well as procedures for handling and reporting research concerns, and actionable steps for researchers to avoid research misconduct.

Bio: Before earning her D.Ed in Adult Education, Dr. Courtney Karmelita worked as a special education teacher in the Philadelphia area and was a Teach for America Corps member. Throughout the course of her doctoral studies, Dr. Karmelita worked as an academic adviser at Penn State and eventually took on the role of Assistant Director of Orientation for the Division of Undergraduate Studies. Since graduating with her D.Ed in 2016, Dr. Karmelita continued her dissertation research on adult learners transitioning to higher education in a series of publications before shifting her focus to education on the responsible conduct of research, specifically the handling of research integrity allegations. In 2017, Dr. Karmelita was awarded the Student Research Award from the NACADA. In her current role, Dr. Karmelita oversees the Quality Assurance and Research Integrity Programs at Penn State and serves as the institution's Research Integrity Officer. Dr. Karmelita is a co-PI on a two-year grant from the HHS' Office of Research Integrity aimed at resource development and evaluation for faculty charged with the assisting in research misconduct cases. Dr. Karmelita and her team co-hosted ORI's RIO Boot Camp in June of 2023.